Rolls-Royce has entered into an Agreement to purchase Siemens' eAircraft business responsible for electric and hybrid-electric aerospace propulsion. Expected to complete in late 2019, Rolls-Royce sees this as a strategic move to enable the engine manufacturer to play a leading role in the ‘third era' of aviation. Siemens' eAircraft business is located in both Germany and Hungary and has been developing a range of electric and hybrid-electric engines – the two companies have previously worked together on Rolls-Royce's E-Fan X demonstrator that is of the scale required to power regional aircraft.
Rob Watson, Director – Rolls-Royce Electrical, said: “Electrification is set to have as dramatic impact on aviation as the replacement of piston engines by gas turbines. We are at the dawn of the third era of aviation, which will bring a new class of quieter and cleaner air transport to the skies.”
“We have already made significant strides in realising our strategy of ‘championing electrification' and this move will accelerate our ambitions in aerospace by adding vital skills and technology to our portfolio. It brings us increased scale and additional expertise as we develop a product range of hybrid power and propulsion systems. I look forward to welcoming our new colleagues into Rolls-Royce and working with them to pioneer new technologies and solutions.”
